Campbelltown Performing Arts High School opens trade skills centre

Students will be equipped to jump straight from the frying pan and in to the fire to fill a trade skills shortage in Western Sydney.

High school students will get a taste of what’s required in the hospitality and construction industry after the opening of a new trade skills centre.

On Friday, Campbelltown Performing Arts High School unveiled its new two-room construction and hospitality trade skills centre.

Campbelltown Performing Arts High School principal Stacey Quince said students were drawn to the new state of the art machinery.

School’s trade skills centre opens doors

Teacher Mrs Rebecca Duryea gives a cooking demonstration to Year 11 Campbelltown Performing Arts High School students Josette Carino and Brody Reece-Waller in the new Hospitality Skills Centre at their school. Pictures: Anna Warr.

WHISK AWAY: Campbelltown Performing Arts High School students Josette Carino and Brody Reece-Waller get to work in the new industrial kitchen.

FRESH SPACE: Campbelltown Performing Arts High School students can use state of the art kitchen machinery.

Max Ordinall demonstrates to year nine students Dylan Baker, Joytisha Prasad and Hassan Almosawi how to use machinery in the new Construction Centre at Campbelltown Performing Arts High School.

“They are deeply engaged in learning, and gaining industry-level experience and qualifications.”

The project was a joint-venture between Campbelltown Performing Arts High School and Lomadra School after the schools recognised it could help students gain qualifications in skills shortage areas.

The schools applied to the federal government in 2014 to build industry-standard construction and hospitality facilities.

The construction of two rooms began in July 2015 and Campbelltown Performing Arts High School deputy principal Jo Leighton said the new spaces offered students a chance to attain a Certificate II in an industry-standard setting.

“There is very little about these learning spaces that is similar to what was there previously,” Ms Leighton said.

“They are state of the art, fully refurbished buildings with all new equipment, that reflects equipment used in industry.”

Ms Quince praised the federal government and the NSW Department of Education for its support.